Skeptic Generation

Music is pouring out of every store as we move into the Christmas season. If you believe, we'd love to know if you think there's a war on Christmas! We have open lines and are ready to talk about what you believe and why : 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Holiday Plans
12:37 - Conner (he/him) - CO - Conspiracy Theorists vs Theists
26:27 - Johnathan (they/them) - AL - How To Care for Aging Christian Relatives?
34:53 - Emily (she/her) - TX - The Dangers of Alternative Medicine + What Is Jilly Juice??
41:32 - Steven (he/they) - NY - My Coworker Thinks the Goddess Freya Is Contacting Him!
56:00 - Ken (he/him) - BD - Does The Bible Command Slavery?
1:06:00 - Scott (he/him) - SC - Theist Says God Causes Evil But Is Also Good!

12:37
Connor has called back after our last conversation about a flat earth to ask: “Why do conspiracy theorists get more hate than religious people?” The hosts end up getting into a fun (for them) argument about the correlation between religion and conspiracy, who causes more harm, and whether you should react to either group with contempt.

26:27
If your aging grandparent is being poisoned by Fox News, what should you do? How do you care for a relative who is in cognitive and physical decline, who may be taken advantage of by organizations or individuals pushing agendas? Johnathan is facing this themself, and is looking for advice!

34:53
This caller was personally poisoned by alternative medicine, and has a story to tell. She and Eric bond over the dangerous and anti-scientific claims that have caused them pain, and dive more deeply into why such thinking should be discouraged.

41:32
Steven is a secular pagan who may have accidentally converted a coworker! Now his colleague thinks the goddess Freya is communicating with him… how should Steve solve this? Or does he need to? Vi and Eric discuss how to ethically discuss your beliefs with someone, and the limits of your responsibility.

56:00
Ken doesn’t “speak Bible” so he called the hosts, because they do! This caller asks why there’s so much debate around whether the Bible commands slavery or not. Eric takes point to break down why different Christian groups interpret the text differently.

1:06:00
Can God be at once fully in control and also not responsible for evil? Can humans have free will if God also has a master plan for everything? This caller says yes! Vi and Eric are confused. One of the most enjoyable theist calls in a while, we really hope Scott calls back… because we have more questions than answers at this point!

__________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Well, we've had quite the weekend! Speeches, panels, games, and workshops galore at Faithless Forum here in Austin. We just got back and are ready to talk with you: 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

NOTE: This is an abbreviated episode which will begin at 12 noon CT and run until 1pm CT. If you would like to get on to chat with us, please call in by 11:45am to get in the line!

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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Faithless Forum Recap
06:05 - Isaiah (he/him) - SK - Stop Calling My Beliefs a Mental Illness!
16:42 - Brandon (he/him) - NC - How To Argue With Christians About Morality
23:06 - Kevan (he/him) - FL - Biblical Slavery Is Hypocritical!
34:06 - Sunny (she/they) - IA - Is Virtual Reality An Ethical Substitute for Real Life?
47:54 - Nick (he/him) - AK - Is It Disrespectful To Not Use Pronouns?

06:05
This theist caller would like to see more civil communication between theists and atheists. His example? How atheists are always calling theists mentally ill. Should we stop? What is the harm? Eric and Vi have some thoughts, including how respect for religious people shouldn’t necessarily expand to cover bad or harmful ideas.

16:42
“Well if you don’t believe in God, you can just sin whenever you want!” If that makes you wince, this is the conversation for you. Brandon asks for pointers on debating the morality question with Christians.

Eric cautions that most of these arguments fall prey to the ad hominem fallacy, painting atheists as people without moral compasses and therefore untrustworthy. Vi suggests getting the Christian making the claim to be more explicit: what is preventing them from sinning and why? How does that structure differ between us?

23:06
Isn’t it hypocritical that as soon as the Hebrews were set free from Egypt, they started writing laws about how to own slaves? Kevan wants to know how Christians square this contradiction in moral messaging in Exodus. Eric and Vi caution against framing Exodus as a moral text at all, rather looking at it through a historical lens.

34:06
This is a very interesting call, one that poses a new question we’ve never heard before. Is virtual reality inherently less valuable than actual experiences? What are the ethics of choosing a virtual life over one lived in the outside world? Is Mark Zuckerberg the antichrist? If you enjoy a sci-fi discussion, you’ll like this thought experiment!

47:54
Nick has a friend who has come out as trans. He asked if it’s OK to use his friend’s name instead of pronouns while he gets used to the change. Vi encourages openness and honesty here: tell your friend what’s going on. It’s alright to mess up sometimes, as long as you’re trying!

__________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

While we're preparing speeches and ironing our best black blazer, its a wonderful time to take a break to talk to callers about what they believe and why!

For tickets to next week's event, go to https://faithlessforum.com

We hope to see you there!

If you are interested in helping donate to Viced Rhino's annual holiday fundraiser in memory of Missus Rhino, please visit http://vicedrhino.com/donate.
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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:00 - Intro/In Memory of Missus Rhino
5:14 - Ridley (they/them) - NC - Is “Bro Atheism” On The Rise?
15:18 - Marci (she/her) - CT - New Atheist Mourns the Loss of Heaven
25:20 - Setuf (she/her) - ES - Anti-Choice Caller Is Back for More!
45:37 - Ben (he/him) - AZ - Medical Student Sets the Record Straight on Abortion
58:45 - Joe (he/him) - KS - Theist Asks Why Atheists Lack Emotion
1:13:31 - Bree (ze/zer) - IA - What Do the Hosts Think of the Death Penalty?

5:14
What is “bro atheism,” and is it something we should be worried about? Ridley calls in with some concerns about the direction of the atheist movement online, but Vi and Eric have some hopeful words of encouragement!

15:18
Marci has recently deconverted from Christianity and is struggling to come to grips with heaven not being real. “It’s like mourning a second time.” How do you get through the horrible feelings of grief when you deconvert, and what should next steps be? Vi and Eric empathize and offer some resources (and try not to cry).

For more information about Recovering from Religion, visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

25:20
The anti-choice theist calls back for round two! In an effort to get to the heart of the disagreement, Vi and Eric poke and prod to find Setuf’s moral structure, while calling out loaded language and unscientific claims left and right. Can they find common ground… or should they even try? (And yes, the caller’s name IS an acronym for “fetus.”)

Watch Setuf's first call into Skeptic Generation: https://youtu.be/F4fsFdVZFxs

45:37
Student Doctor Ben calls in to address some of the recent calls around abortion and why we’re looking at the issue wrong. He walks the hosts through what actually happens during abortions at all stages of pregnancy, and why it’s not like what anti-choice people claim. Required viewing for anyone frustrated by the abortion calls being had recently!

Check out more Student Doctor Ben here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKti4xis1ZJ2FQFAuDQ1kpg

58:45
Joe is a theist who wants to know why atheists tend to reduce the big questions to cold scientific facts rather than engage with emotion. Vi points out that emotion has often been used against atheists, so we often overcorrect to avoid falling for bad arguments. That said, there is room to grow, and we shouldn’t be afraid of expressing emotion (as long as our interlocutors are honest).

1:13:31
What do the hosts think of the death penalty, and how does that play into skepticism? It’s difficult to approach such intense topics with rationality, but Vi and Eric point out the various flaws (both philosophical and practical) with capital punishment. What an intense way to end the show this week!

Check out the @Shaun video referenced by Vi: https://youtu.be/L30_hfuZoQ8
For more on the philosophical side of capital punishment, here’s a @PhilosophyTube video as well: https://youtu.be/TDcwIZzaf-k

__________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Through hell and high water (literally!) we're coming to you live from a house under repair to celebrate 10k subs and take your calls!
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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:00 - Intro
07:38 - Phil (he/him) - DE - Purpose vs Reason (a la Calvin & Hobbes)
15:00 - Bree (ze/zer) - IA - An Anti-Aboriton Argument from an Atheist?
22:44 - Setuf (she/her) - ES - Theist Thinks Abortion = M*rder
40:33 - Fred (they/them) - COL - “I Escaped an Atheist Cult!”
51:00 - Sam (they/them) - UK - Are Atheists Better At Diversity?
1:02:08 - Candor (he/they) - CO - Using “Religious Tools” as Skeptics
1:11:03 - Karen (she/her) - CA - “I Wouldn’t Save The Dog” (Atheist Argues Abortion)
1:20:30 - Kevin (he/him) - CO - Is Media Messing with Our Risk Assessment?

07:38
A caller from Deutschland claims Calvin and Hobbes perfectly captures the difference between how theists and atheists look at the world. One group looks for purpose of things happening, while the other looks for the reason things happen. Eric fanboys about Bill Watterson, and Vi agrees we should keep this distinction in mind when talking to theists.

Link to the comic discussed: https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1988/04/01#:~:text=Transcript%3A,Hobbes%3A%20Because%20we%20walked%20here.&text=Hobbes%3A%20Because%20Earth%20can%20support%20life.

15:00
Bree calls in with a joke call, making an anti-abortion argument from an atheistic perspective. The laughs, however, lead to some interesting conversation as the hosts contemplate where current abortion arguments fall short, and whether many skeptics have yet to fully deconstruct ideas around procreation and birth. Cue foreshadowing music….

22:44
This caller is a theist who wants to argue with the hosts about whether or not terminating a pregnancy is moral or immoral. The hosts get creative with their analogies in an attempt to get their points across: Eric asks if unplugging a sentient computer would be immoral, and Vi makes a comparison between abortion laws and “stand your ground” laws in Texas and other states. Ultimately, the question is: what course of action is permissible to maintain bodily autonomy? And who gets to decide whether that course of action is moral or immoral?

40:33
Fred was part of a cult composed mostly of atheists, but managed to escape thanks to watching shows like Skeptic Generation, @Genetically Modified Skeptic, and @Telltale. They want to talk about how atheists can also fall for behavioral control methods used to perpetuate cults. The takeaway here: don’t think you’re too smart to get involved in a cult, and stay away from organizations with strict hierarchical structures. Stay safe out there!

51:00
Are atheists better or worse when it comes to inclusion and diversity? In some areas they are objectively progressing faster than many religious counterparts, but in other areas they’re falling behind. Sam points to their experience in atheist circles as someone who is neurodivergent, nonbinary, and Pagan, among other intersectionalities. Vi and Eric weigh in.

1:02:08
What “religious tools” should atheists be using to help them in their lives? Are there such things as “religious tools”? What is a non-theistic Satanist, and why does Candor call himself one? This conversation gets into tarot, ritual, and mindfulness as secular methods for coping and thriving in the world. You may have feelings about this one…

1:11:03
Karen is sick and tired of atheist pro-choice arguments, because they don’t feel honest. She lays out her uncomfortable truth: we rate beings based on how valuable they are, and give out rights from there. Eric points out the difference between rights and protections, and Vi gets excited at the icky feeling the argument causes. Gotta love a chewy new moral dilemma!

1:20:30
How is the media influencing our risk assessments about things like COVID, and could it be that those who have chosen not to get the vaccine are simply less risk-averse? Eric and Vi point out that while each individual has to choose for themselves, the responsibility of caring for those in your community and providing the at-risk with protection outweighs personal comfort.

_____________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Do you believe in things that go bump in the night? What about hell or demons? Give us a call and we'd love to hear what you believe and why!
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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:0 - Intro
06:30 - Andrew - he/him - PA - If God Exists, So What?
18:30 - Sam - he/him - TX - A Pathetic Excuse for a Troll
21:08 - Nick - he/him - VA - Do We Have Obligations As Skeptics?
30:38 - Tim - he/him - FL - Evangelicals Are Ruining It for the Rest of Us!
40:43 - Salvatore - he/him - LA - Can Atheism and Religion Coexist?
52:12 - Allison - they/them - CAN - How Do I Date as a Nonbinary Person?

06:30
If we were to grant the philosophical arguments “proving” the existence of a God, what would change? Vi and Eric point out that it depends on the kind of god, and whether we could accurately pinpoint which religion was true (if any).

18:30
The troll is back, but just for a few minutes. He harasses the hosts by mocking how Vi proposed to Eric, and is quickly hung up on. To quote our favorite space ranger: he is a sad, strange little man, and he has our pity. Farewell.

21:08
What obligations for self-education do we have as skeptics, especially ones who have a platform like ours? Vi and Eric describe some best practices that they abide by, including incorporating research into their day to day, only speaking on subjects they have knowledge in, and being willing to say “I don’t know.”

30:38
A Pew Research poll suggests that only 30% of Americans label themselves as evangelicals, and most of them are conservative. Tim wants to know if he’s right to be upset at this small demographic that seems to be wrecking things for the rest of us. Vi offers a compassionate approach that lays the blame where it should be put: on Christianity as an institution and on politicians who take advantage of it.

40:43
Can atheism and religion coexist? Yes, of course, say the hosts. But can skepticism coexist with a lack of skepticism? That’s the real question, and the one we should be discussing.

52:12
How do you deconstruct dating after discovering you are non-binary? How do you navigate things like flirting, romance, and relationships while you discover your gender? This caller asks Vi for their opinion, and Vi gets real about the struggle, and also what makes a good partner. Eric discusses his own identity in-depth for the first time on the show as well.

___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

What do you believe? Why do you believe it? Can you convince skeptics of your claim? Give us a call and make your case. We promise we don't bite... too hard...
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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
04:07 - Lily (she/they) - AZ - You Can’t Do Math Wrong
14:55 - Ted (he/him) - PA - Atheist Reincarnation?
29:26 - Lord (he/him) - CA - Weak Atheism vs. Strong Atheism - Which is Better?
41:53 - Joe (he/him) - VA - A New Argument for the Existence of God
1:08:15 - Mike (he/him) - OH - Why Use They/Them Pronouns?
1:20:00 - Joe (he/him) - TX - Was Jesus A Womanizer?

04:07
Can you do math wrong? Is it just an aesthetic pastime, like art? Have you ever cried for joy looking at an equation? If you feel confused, you and Vi are in the same boat. Eric, meanwhile, is loving it. For all the numberphiles out there, this one’s for you…

14:55
Does death scare you? Are you afraid of the void? This caller believes you can get comfort from the philosophical theory of “generic subjective continuity,” sometimes called reincarnation for naturalists. Eric and Vi have concerns about its usefulness.

Note: The video freezes for a few minutes here, but Eric does techno-wizardry and fixes it.

29:26
Why aren’t the hosts strong atheists? This caller thinks that until solid proof is provided, we should be encouraged to say that absolutely no gods exist. After all, we do the same with Bigfoot and butt unicorns. Eric and Vi discuss the value in weak atheism when having conversations with theists.

41:53
Repeat caller Joe has a new cosmological argument for the existence of God, and asks to take Eric and Vi through it. Problems start early, as Joe attempts to rely on intuition to argue for a cause beyond the universe. The hosts walk through why using words like “cause” and “begin” still rely on spacetime, and how cosmological arguments fail to point to any God.

1:08:15
Mike has a question for Vi: Why use pronouns other than he/him or she/her? Vi gets vulnerable as they discuss their place in society. Eric explains why having pronouns listed in caller descriptions are so important.

1:20:00
This call was a bit all over the place, but the takeaway for the hosts was the request to imagine Jesus as a womanizer. After all, there are no records of his life between the ages of 2-33 in the Gospels. What if he was just roaming around having sex the whole time? Eric and Vi admit that’s a fun idea, but point to the dearth of historical information we have about Jesus and how we couldn’t possibly say for sure.

Join us next week for a Halloween episode where the hosts will be in costume! Tag SkepticShow on Twitter with your own Halloween costumes and the hashtag #SGHalloween and we’ll retweet all week!
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Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

So many theist callers today! We got to talk to a variety of believers on what they believe and why. Join us this week on Skeptic Generation. Do you agree with our takes? Disagree strongly? Call in and tell us why!
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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:00 - Intro
04:33 - Sam (he/him) - KY - Does the Kalam Prove Atheism?
19:26 - Chad (he/they) - FL - This Troll Seems Very Angry…
36:00 - Edward (he/him) - DC - Theist Has An “Anti-Atheist” Argument
56:22 - Andrew (he/him) - PA - Atheism and Free Speech
1:08:40 - Tyler (he/him) - OH - The Atheist Community Made Me A Christian

04:33
Sam has a theory that William Lane Craig’s Kalam cosmological argument actually supports an atheistic worldview. Vi and Eric explore ideas of timelessness, spacelessness, and personalness, and if they even make sense when attributed to the same being. If you enjoy talking philosophy while taking many casual digs at WLC, this is for you.

Check out the Paulogia episode Vi referenced here: https://youtu.be/GC3o4GnKJFU

19:26
A wild Chad appears to discuss why skepticism is bad, how atheism and skepticism are the same thing, how prioritizing wellbeing is morally corrupt, how it’s destroying traditional family values, and how we are mocking America. This is possibly the angriest and most excitable troll we’ve had in a while, but he hangs up when he can’t take the heat.

36:00
“Answer me these riddles three…” says this caller, leading Vi and Eric down a list of questions that “both Hitchens and the Pope would agree on.” He says that by answering these questions honestly, we’ll come to an anti-atheist conclusion. Is it real, is it fantasy, or is it an equivocation fallacy? Let’s go on this adventure together…

56:22
What does free speech mean, and do atheists use it correctly? Vi breaks down the different kinds of free speech, the responsibilities of being a good conversation partner, and how we can do better as a community in having those conversations. Eric gets put on the spot when Andrew asks a pointed question that starts an argument.

1:08:40
Tyler used to be an atheist viewer of popular call-in shows, but found they were only making him depressed and giving him an overly simplistic view of the world. He has since become a Christian, and has found solace in going to church. He asks if Vi and Eric had religious upbringings, and what their deconversion experience was like. The hosts empathize and ask Tyler to call back, closing with the question: “How do we discover what is true, even if something else makes us feel better?”
___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

This is a bit unorthodox but... since when were we worried about orthodoxy?

You're invited to participate in a ridiculously early-in-the-day drinking game for our 21st episode celebration. Bring booze, coffee, water.... whatever your beverage of choice, it's about to get lit!

NOTE: This episode incorporates a drinking game as a way to celebrate our 21st episode. You are welcome to play along (with your beverage of choice), but please drink responsibly! We love all of y’all and want you to have fun while staying safe and healthy.
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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
06:26 - Theo (he/him) - TX - How Did You Become an Atheist?
33:37 - Isaiah (he/him) - Korea - How to Calm Down During Difficult Conversations
53:36 - Johnathan (he/him) - AL - Holding Others To A Higher Standard
01:01:03 - Jon (he/him) - SC - Why Is Skepticism Useful?
01:14:47 - Salvatore (he/him) - LA - What is Magic to Atheists?
1:23:21 - Sam (he/him) - KY - Does the Kalam Prove Atheism?

06:26
How did the hosts become atheists? What questions about God did they have? How can they be moral people without an ultimate authority? In a throwback to the classic days of atheist call-in shows, Theo is a theist who is truly wondering about the atheist perspective… because he’s asking some of these questions himself.

33:37
This theist caller is upset that people he talks to jump to conclusions about him. He calls to ask Eric and Vi what their thoughts are on having calm, civil conversations that don’t resort to name-calling. The hosts point out that both sides have an obligation to do their best to remain level-headed. Remain open, assume the best, and make sure you aren’t using loaded language!

53:36
Why does it seem like we are always holding others to a different standard than we hold ourselves? Whether we let others get away with murder while kicking ourselves for forgetting to take the trash out, or expecting others to be angels while we roll around in the mud, there always seems to be a mismatch. Eric empathizes and reframes.

1:01:03
What makes skepticism different or more useful than magical thinking, especially if we can’t really know the “capital T truth” about anything? Eric explains the philosophical element, while Vi tackles the practical, day-to-day uses of skepticism. They even get into… bibliomancy! **spooky Halloween noises**

1:14:47
How should atheists approach magic? Salvatore, our atheopagan friend, works with sigils to influence his subconscious. Eric says this feels icky and rejects the idea of magic as a useful word altogether. Vi, on the other hand, points out that “magic” is not consistently defined and so doesn’t need to have a supernatural meaning at all. In this view, is going to the bank magic? Well…. Maybe?

1:23:21
We’re hoping this guy calls back! Sam has a theory that William Lane Craig’s Kalam cosmological argument actually supports an atheistic worldview. Vi gets excited and suggests some tweaks to the hypothesis. They then ask Sam to call back, because Eric wants to dive deeper into the conversation when he’s NOT inebriated.
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Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Does 20 weeks seem like long time, or does it feel like no time at all? The answer is yes.

We've only got twelve episodes left in season 1, so come give us a call!

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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

10:35 - Nick (he/him) - TN - Do Atheists Have An Obligation to Evangelize?
20:18 - Connor (he/him) - CO - Flat Earther Calls with an Equation
46:03o - Robin (he/him) - DC - Darth Clone Tries Again
50:35 - Sam (they/them) - UK - Is Street Epistemology Dishonest?
1:03:10 - Josh (he/him) - CO - The Theory of the Bicameral Mind
1:15:15 - Josh (they/them) - TN - I Told My Dying Father I Believed

10:35
Should you try to deconvert Christians? Nick has been using his past training as an evangelical to play for the “other side,” and has called in to ask the hosts’ opinions. Vi points out that it’s impossible to tell other atheists what they *ought* to do, but if you believe that engaging with theists is a good way to promote a secular society, that is what you should do! That said, Vi thinks a better way to increase skepticism and secularism would be to start a daycare…

20:18
Is this Skeptic Generation’s first flat earther caller? Where’s E.J. when you need them! Vi and Eric clash with Connor, who thinks that a flat earth is just as valid as a round earth. He also proposes that we can teleport like Pacman if we get to the earth’s edge. And that the laws of gravity and light reflection might not be accurate. And that scientists won’t listen to him because his computation is to complex. In short, just about what you’d expect.

For more information about flat earthers and their debunked theories, please check out the following videos:
- Hbomberguy’s Measured Response: https://youtu.be/2gFsOoKAHZg
- Professor Dave Explains Pt. 1: https://youtu.be/_bHqBy92iGM

46:09
Robin returns! And he is peddling the same drivel he was before he was banned. Vi lets him join the show just long enough to call him and Darth Dawkins out for being dishonest and uninterested in real conversation. If you’ve ever wanted to flip off a presup, this clip is for you.

For the uninitiated, here is the Robin saga as it stands (as well as a link to the recording Vi referenced between Robin and Darth):

- Robin calls in for the first time: https://youtu.be/vlx5E0tdweQ
- Robin round two: https://youtu.be/QKbb1OkUBo0
- Robin gets banned: https://youtu.be/T2tdCP_gR50
- The recorded Discord conversations that Vi referenced between Robin and Darth Dawkins during SkepGen episode 12: https://youtu.be/FsbAY-4DQvY

50:48
Is street epistemology inherently dishonest? Do people who practice SE rely on dishonest tactics? This is a fascinating conversation, especially from a theist’s perspective. Sam wants to know Vi and Eric’s opinions on this topic. Eric points out that perhaps SE is not inherently dishonest, but rather individuals are using it dishonestly. Vi advises against relying on memorized scripts or gotchas when engaging with others.

1:03:31
Have you heard of the bicameral mind? Josh calls in to discuss Julian Jaynes’s book “The Origin of Consciousness” and get the hosts’ opinion on his hypothesis. Does it present a reasonable explanation for the human desire to create gods? The hosts say it’s definitely an interesting observation, but that we should hold these kinds of unfalsifiable claims loosely, even if they seem to fit well into our worldview.

Also, if you know the Seth Andrews interview Vi mentioned, please drop the link in the comments below! They’d love to credit it directly.

1:15:15
How should you treat a dying parent who wants you to reconvert? Josh tells their story: they made the decision to lie to their dying father to ease his fears of seeing his children and grandchildren in hell. Was it the right call? Vi and Eric think so. In fact, the hosts point out that there is no one right way to act in this situation, and anyone dealing with the death of a parent should be gentle with themselves as they navigate that traumatic situation.

___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

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It's officially no longer summer, and we're ready for some cooler weather. Let's keep the hot-headed callers, though, because they're fun! Give us a call and chat with us about what you believe and why: 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG
___________
TIMESTAMPS & SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Intro
04:21 - Brian (he/him) - FL - The Argument From I Win Because I Say So
43:37 - Salvatore (he/him) - LA - Does This Syllogism Disprove Hell?
56:59 - Chandler (he/him) - CT - Is It Transphobic To Not Want to Date A Trans Person?
1:08:51 - Caffie (she/her) - CA - My Good Christian Husband Watches P*rn in the Barn!
1:13:42 - Mark (he/him) - VA - Jesus Couldn’t Have Healed the Paralyzed

04:21
A sneaky presuppositionalist calls in to talk about how skepticism is not good for society. The call quickly spirals as Brian attempts to throw the entire apologetic lexicon at the hosts. Eric and Vi try to parse through his arguments in good faith, but Brian is playing his own game. And he’s winning, no matter what anyone says.

Warning: The ending of this call devolves as Brian begins screaming “Don’t allow atheists to **** kids” over and over. We’ve bleeped it out from the clip, but were taken aback by it as well. Apologies to everyone who has to deal with that.

43:74
Salvatore calls back in to ask for the hosts’ help in constructing a syllogism to disprove Hell. As he runs through it, Eric points out that the argument actually addresses something different: whether God is good! And Vi advises the caller to also focus on the scientific implausibilitiy of Hell rather than just rely on philosophical arguments to make his case.

56:59
Remember when a Super Straight called into the show and argued with Vi? Chandler does, and he has a question: is not wanting to date trans people transphobic? Vi clarifies their position. Your dating preferences are your own, and no one can be mad about who you decide to pursue romantically (as long as you’re all consenting adults). That said, think about why you might not be attracted to a whole group of people: what information is influencing that?

Note for our callers: Chandler speaks English as his second language, so does not use all the proper terminology in this call. Let’s practice understanding intent and recognize someone who is genuinely asking a question!

1:08:51
We think this is a troll? We think? Either that or Caffie really had nowhere else to turn and is royally freaked out. While she told the call screeners that she wanted to talk about religion’s necessity in society, she quickly devolves into adamant concern about her good Christian husband, who she has caught watching gay porn.

Warning: The caller uses the word “m*dget” to describe the actors in this alleged porno. Please be aware that this term is outdated and offensive. The appropriate terminology is “dwarf” or “little person.” https://www.lpaonline.org/the-m-word

1:13:42
How does Jesus tell the paralyzed man to get up and walk, when it takes at least 8 weeks to heal from a single fracture? Mark calls in to point out the medical impossibility of faith healing. The hosts agree, and also wish the caller a speedy recovery (even if a miraculously fast one is off the table).
___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.